NAR Leadership Summit - Sunday (pre-conference reception)

Bart Stevens reports: Arrived in Chicago Sunday afternoon to sunny skies, warm temperatures and LOW humidity. Reason for Chicago? NAR's Leadership Summit! Together with 7 others from Maine, we join 1800 state/local president-elects and association executives from around the country for a day and a half of skills training and top industry presenters.

Merrymeeting Board President Elect Linda Dupuis and I shared an uneventful flight from Portland, and with some free time on our hands set out to explore the city. We stood in line with hundreds of others to get to the top of the Sears Tower (now called the Willis Tower) but the wait was well worth it - the views were spectacular! Crystal clear skies with views of 4 states. They have a new feature on the 103rd floor - 4 glass modules which extend out from the building. You step out into them and you have a completely unobstructed view - even 103 stories straight down beneath your feet. Not for the height challenged!

Later we caught up with our other Maine attendees: 2010 MAR President Marc Chadbourne, MAR CEO Cindy Butts, Greater Portland Board President Elect Wayne Syphers, Greater Portland CEO Kelly Craig, Bangor Board President Elect Rosanne Bates and husband Keith, at Chicago's Navy Pier for NAR's welcoming reception at the Crystal Garden. Great networking had by all. From the reception we headed down to Bubba Gumps for dinner and relaxation - and to celebrate Rosanne's birthday!

With the one hour time difference added on to a full day's activity it was time for bed. Stay tuned for more later - lots of great speakers scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Bart Stevens is the president elect of the Kennebec Valley Board. Pictured: Linda Dupuis; Marc Chadbourne; group - Wayne Syphers, Linda Dupuis, Rosanne Bates, Kelley Craig, Bart Stevens, Cindy Butts